With a place in the upcoming Rugby League World Cup now secured, Fetu Samoa are looking to claim a spot in next year's Pacific Cup pool when they face off against the PNG Orchids in their promotion / relegation final.
The Orchids had already qualified for the World Cup before this tournament and are highest ranked team in the Pacific Championship before Australia and New Zealand, forcing them into tough matches against the top two teams in the world.
After posting a heavy 84-0 loss in the opening week of the competition, PNG were much improved in their 36-0 loss to the Ferns last week and will have confidence of putting in a strong performance against the challenging Samoa side.
Jamie Soward's line-up however are flush with NRLW experience, led by captain Annetta Nu’uausala, but they will be without Maroons Origin star Evania Pelite after she didn't finish the match in their historic World Cup appearance sealing win over Fiji Bulikula last week.
PNG will be led once again by inspirational skipper Elise Albert, who is set to play in their 10th Test match for her country.
Match: PNG Orchids v Fetu Samoa
Final -
home Team
PNG Orchids
away Team
Fetu Samoa
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Team News
Orchids: Tahnee Norris has named an unchanged starting side for the promotion-relegation final. Shae De La Cruz has been named to start at fullback failing to finish the match against the Ferns last week after a heavy tackle. A reshuffle of the interchange sees Delailah Ahose and Mala Mark return to the bench while Lilah Malabag and Roswita Kapo move to the reserves. The new replacement player is Talitha Kunjil.
Fetu Samoa: Fullback Evania Pelite has succumbed to her leg issues and has not been named to face the Orchids. Jetaya Faifua, who helped spark Samoa’s comeback against Fiji off the bench last week, will start at fullback. Other changes see Christian Pio set to start at prop with Evah McEwan moving into the second row. Laikha Clarke has not been named, with Jasmine Fogavini promoted from 18th player duties last week onto the bench, alongside Viena Tinao. The 18th player is Ella-Jaye Harrison Leaunoa.
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for PNG Orchids is number 1 Shae Yvonne De La CruzFullback for Fetu Samoa is number 14 Jetaya Faifua
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Winger for PNG Orchids is number 2 Jenny WesleyWinger for Fetu Samoa is number 2 Mercedez Taulelei-Siala
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Centre for PNG Orchids is number 3 Belinda GwasamunCentre for Fetu Samoa is number 3 Lindsay Tui
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Centre for PNG Orchids is number 4 Leila KerowaCentre for Fetu Samoa is number 4 Sarina Masaga
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Winger for PNG Orchids is number 5 Lyiannah AllenWinger for Fetu Samoa is number 5 Jessica Patea
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Five-Eighth for PNG Orchids is number 6 Sera KoroiFive-Eighth for Fetu Samoa is number 6 Tavarna Papalii
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Halfback for PNG Orchids is number 7 Ua RavuHalfback for Fetu Samoa is number 7 Pauline Piliae-Rasabale
Forwards
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Prop for PNG Orchids is number 8 Elsie AlbertProp for Fetu Samoa is number 8 Annetta-Claudia Nu'uausala
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Hooker for PNG Orchids is number 9 Therese AitonHooker for Fetu Samoa is number 9 Destiny Brill
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Prop for PNG Orchids is number 10 Essay BanuProp for Fetu Samoa is number 12 Christian Pio
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2nd Row for PNG Orchids is number 11 Sareka Mooka2nd Row for Fetu Samoa is number 11 Monalisa Soliola
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2nd Row for PNG Orchids is number 12 Emily Veivers2nd Row for Fetu Samoa is number 17 Evah McEwen
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Lock for PNG Orchids is number 13 Gloria KaupaLock for Fetu Samoa is number 13 Sienna Lofipo
Interchange
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Interchange for PNG Orchids is number 14 Delailah AhoseInterchange for Fetu Samoa is number 15 Simone Karpani
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Interchange for PNG Orchids is number 15 Jessikah ReevesInterchange for Fetu Samoa is number 16 Pihuka Berryman-Duff
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Interchange for PNG Orchids is number 16 Yolanda TauteInterchange for Fetu Samoa is number 18 Jasmine Fogavini
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Interchange for PNG Orchids is number 17 Mala MarkInterchange for Fetu Samoa is number 20 Viena Tinao
Reserves
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Replacement for PNG Orchids is number 18 Talitha KunjilReplacement for Fetu Samoa is number 21 Ella-Jaye Harrison-Leaunoa
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Reserve for PNG Orchids is number 19 Meli JoeReserve for Fetu Samoa is number 22 Claudia Brown
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Reserve for PNG Orchids is number 20 Lilah MalabagReserve for Fetu Samoa is number 25 Tafao Asaua
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Reserve for PNG Orchids is number 21 Roswita Kapo
PNG Orchids Ins
- Delailah Ahose
- Meli Joe
- Talitha Kunjil
Fetu Samoa Ins
- Claudia Brown
- Ella-Jaye Harrison-Leaunoa
- Tafao Asaua
- Viena Tinao
PNG Orchids Outs
Fetu Samoa Ins
- Evania Pelite
- Laikha Clarke
Match Officials
- Senior Review Official: Wyatt Raymond
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Orchids have lost all five Tests played in Australia.
- Fetu Samoa have won their last three Test matches.
- Orchids captain Elsie Albert will make her 10th Test appearance.
- Annetta Nu’uausala has scored three tries in three Tests for Fetu Samoa.
- The Orchids have been outscored 120-0 by the Jillaroos and Kiwi Ferns in the 2024 Pacific Cup.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
